Luss Estates Company Commits to Five-Year Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) Grant to Enhance Scotland’s Natural Heritage
Luss Estates Company is pleased to announce it’s continued participation in the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) for another five-year term. This initiative supports sustainable land management practices aimed at protecting and enhancing Scotland's extraordinary natural environment, improving water quality, managing flood risk and addressing climate change challenges.
Entering it’s sixth year in the scheme, Luss Estates Company manages over 3,634 hectares of land (equivalent to more than 5,000 football pitches) with a strong commitment to environmentally friendly farming practices. By using native livestock breeds and tailored grazing patterns, the Estate creates a positive impact on a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Key contributions include:
Over 3,476 hectares of moorland managed: Enhancing upland heath and peatland habitats by maintaining balanced levels of wild and domestic stock.
Over 70 hectares of grassland managed: Supporting National Red List ground-nesting birds, including curlews, lapwing, snipe and redshank.
Over 87 hectares of wetlands managed: Preserving biodiversity by supporting a variety of plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds, while also mitigating flooding by slowing water flow and acting as natural water storage zones.
Over 2 km of watercourses managed: Fenced off to protect water quality and benefit native Atlantic salmon, while enabling natural regeneration to provide food and cover for birds, mammals and pollinators.
Over 550 m of hedgerows planted: Providing essential food and cover for birds, insects and small mammals, as well as creating vital habitat links.
Two new wildlife ponds created: Offering valuable habitat for aquatic invertebrates, wetland plants, amphibians and the Great Crested Newt.
Luss Estates Company remains dedicated to it’s environmental stewardship, ensuring that these diverse habitats continue to thrive while contributing to Scotland's broader efforts to mitigate climate change and preserve it’s natural beauty for future generations.